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2014 srt viper Model Overview

Vehicle Overview

The Viper is back, and is no longer badged a Dodge. The SRT Viper became the first Chrysler product to be badged an SRT when it went on sale last year. The 2014 SRT Viper packs a monstrous engine under its long, muscular hood — in fact, the Viper’s engine is currently the largest displacement engine you can buy in a new car or truck today. That engine is an 8.4-liter V-10 making 640 hp and 600 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed manual, and exiting via side pipes. Depending on whether you opt for the base 2014 Viper, Viper TA, or Viper GTS, the supercar is capable of accelerating from 0-60 mph in 3.3-3.5 seconds — or less time than it took you to read this sentence. Top speed is just north of 200 mph. Yep; the 2014 SRT Viper is the real deal.

And yet, the car isn’t perfect. In our first outing with the new Viper against the previous-generation Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, the new Viper GTS lost because it wasn’t as easy to drive quickly as the ‘Vette at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. In its second outing with us, the 2014 Viper TA performed much better: “For the first time ever, I found myself behind the wheel of a Viper that I felt wasn’t actively trying to hurt me. In the great tradition of all excellent track cars, the TA felt almost totally neutral. Sure, get on the power too early/aggressively, and the back end will swing out. Overcook her into a corner, and you can induce some understeer. But for the most part, the TA was an absolute sweetheart on Laguna Seca.”

Unfortunately, the Viper didn’t fare better in our 2013 Best Driver’s Car competition, where it came in last place. Why? Quality. “This Viper had a number of mechanical issues that sank it in voting. Key among these was a serious brake problem. During figure-eight testing, one of the motors that moves the adjustable pedals broke off under braking and jammed the brake pedal to the floor. Couple that with the fact that two of the four bolts holding the driver’s seat to the car were not even finger-tight, and we had a serious safety issue. … One of the hood vents flew off on the freeway and caromed off the windshield. There was a persistent rattle in the right side of the cabin that was never identified. The Performance Apps froze the infotainment system. The paint on the edges of the rocker panels was being burned by the exhaust. Finally, the Viper arrived mounted with standard Pirelli P Zeros on the front and P Zero Corsas on the rear.”

The 2014 SRT Viper gets minor updates, including revised traction control, and some new paint colors. Other changes include the new track-oriented 2014 SRT Viper TA, which is stripped of all creature comforts, and is focused on turning the fastest lap possible on the track.

New for 2014

The biggest news for the 2014 SRT Viper is the new 2014 Viper TA. Short for Time Attack, the Viper TA is a track-oriented version of the SRT Viper, which slots between the base Viper and the Viper GTS. The 2014 Viper TA features all the performance goodies from the Viper Track Pack, without any of the creature comforts. It has a carbon fiber aerodynamics kit, Brembo brake rotors, a carbon fiber “x-brace” in the engine bay, and an adjustable suspension with two modes: smooth track and rough track. When SRT said the Viper TA was designed for the track, the brand really meant it. Other changes to the 2014 SRT Viper include new exterior colors, and a rain mode for the traction control system.

You’ll Like

The monstrous 8.4-liter V-10 –currently the largest-displacement engine in a car/light truck in the U.S.

Recalls

If the driver or passenger door opens unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion, there is an increased risk of a crash and injury.

Recall Date

2015-03-27

Description

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Dodge Viper vehicles manufactured October 1, 2012, to February 6, 2014. Moisture may get into the door switch, resulting in the driver or passenger door opening unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door handle assemblies and top covers, free of charge. The recall began on July 10, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R14.

Units Affected

1455

Recall ID#15V461000 - EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

Consequence

Exploitation of the software vulnerability may result in unauthorized remote modification and control of certain vehicle systems, increasing the risk of a crash.

Chrysler will notify and mail affected owners a USB drive that includes a software update that eliminates the vulnerability, free of charge. Optionally, owners may download the update to their own USB drive from http://www.driveuconnect.com/software-update/ or take their vehicle to a Chrysler dealer for immediate installation. In an effort to mitigate the effects of this security vulnerability, Chrysler has had the wireless service provider close the open cellular connection to the vehicle that provided unauthorized access to the vehicle network. This measure may not have been implemented on all vehicles and does not address access by other means that will be remedied by the software update. The recall began on August 25, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R40.